Russia and World in Dance: Representatives of International Friendship Clubs and RUDN International Students Performed at Dubai Opera Ball
On November 15, representatives of the International Friendship Clubs from 12 Russia’s regions and RUDN international students from 15 countries performed at the Dubai Opera ball in the UAE.
“The Dubai Opera Ball is one of the landmark events of intercultural dialogue. Young people from Russia’s regions, where International Friendship Clubs are already operating, and from various countries have come together to perform a dance. In each pair, one participant represents our country, and the other represents a foreign country. The dance has become an embodiment of international dialogue and friendship that is being maintained by young people from Russia and across the world. This event demonstrates that there are no borders for the youth, they want to communicate, learn about one other’s traditions and together create cultural and public projects,” said Advisor on International Affairs to the Head of Rosmolodezh, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate Daniil Bisslinger.
The 15 pairs of young people from Russia and abroad performed a debutant dance to the pieces by Johann Strauss Jr. The foreign Ball participants represented China, Algeria, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Cote d'Ivoire, Turkiye, Bolivia, India, Latvia, Zambia, Benin, Turkmenistan, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
"Participating in the Ball is a unique experience for me, I have never danced before. In my opinion, this international cultural event gives young people from different countries the opportunity to communicate, share their experience and learn from their peers from across the world. The Dubai Opera Ball opens up opportunities for shaping new ideas and creating a common future,” said Gutierrez Benavides Esteban Josue, debutant from Costa Rica.
Russia was represented by young people from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Kaluga, Tula, Volgograd, Pskov, Tver Regions, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Tatarstan, Mordovia, Karelia and Altai Territory. Participants of the International Friendship Clubs from different regions of Russia performed a dance with young people from the foreign countries that were assigned to them. The Club of the Altai Territory is strengthening youth cooperation with Sri Lanka – a representative of this very country dances in a pair with a ball participant Elizaveta Moskalenko.
"This unique event allows to build interaction between the youth from different countries, so that in the future we can create joint projects, exchange ideas and experience and work for the benefit of our world. During rehearsals and preparation for the Ball, we got to know the culture of participants from 15 countries, learned about their traditions and history. It is this communication and understanding of one other that a great international friendship is built on," said Elizaveta Moskalenko, debutant dance performer and member of the International Friendship Club of the Altai Territory.
Rehearsals were conducted at RUDN in Moscow. The International Ball Association headed by choreographer Mikhail Gribov provided training for the young people. According to him, the first-time participants of the cultural event had only 4 days to prepare, and the whole dance lasted only 8 minutes, which is a serious challenge for beginners.
“I am really inspired because the guys are really cool and positive. It feels like we have rehearsed and prepared multiple events before. Moreover, most of them have never danced in pairs, this is their first experience. It is great that the pairs consist of representatives of various countries and Russian regions. If something doesn't work out in a pair, they help each other,” shared Mikhail Gribov.
International Friendship Clubs is a flagship project of the World Youth Festival Directorate. The Clubs are opened in 89 regions of Russia and the Sirius Federal Territory in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation of the post-festival legacy. The project is implemented jointly with the regions of Russia.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.